When I go to American airports, bus staions, train stations I notice in the men's rest rooms (toilets) that there is a large gap between the toilet door and the door frame. This gap is large enough for someone outside to look in. Why is this? Who decided that there should be a gap? Why has no one complained? Is the gap a regulation length? In hotel rooms there is no gap but in the hotel lobby there will be a gap. Why is this? As a British person I find this odd? Is it the same in the women's toilets?
2007-02-26 00:29:22 · 18 answers · asked by David F 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
I think it's so people can rudely see if it is occupied..I don't know, we design things weird here.
2007-02-26 00:32:21 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Typical of American design......just look at their cars...they are a laughing stock.
Still, it could be worse , in the army there are no toilet doors.
The Romans saw no need for toilet doors either.
Modesty must be a modern cultural thing!
I think women like to have a door on the toilet so that nobody can see why it takes them 10 times longer to do the same job as a man. I think it is a mystery that will never be solved by toilet planners.
I did once see a dutch design on the t.v. for a female urinal but then northern Europeans do tend to be more progressive and I can't see it catching on in the USA or UK.
I think more odd than the American "gaps" are the holes drilled into the sides of UK toilet cubicles enabling perverts to peep into.
Creepy.
Bet you dont get those in the US!
2007-02-26 08:56:26 · answer #2 · answered by Gent 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here there's commonly a gap on the bottom, so you *can* look in if you go all the way down on your knees, but not along the edges.
Not only can you see if it's normally occupied by someone doing their business -for which knocking should suffice, or just using the lock, if it opens it's free, if it doesn't open it's occupied- but it also makes it so you can see if there are two people in there & something may be going on (yes, it is the same with women's toilets so this isn't only as a measure against gays.. what about couples, what about crimes). I guess it'd also make it harder for some drug users to shoot up in there. And if anyone were ever to pass out, you'd see it too.
2007-02-26 09:07:54 · answer #3 · answered by Sheriam 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
cut and pasted from source mentioned below:
"Your comments about safety are significantly important points. In the U.S. the opposition to public toilets is often based on a fear of crime or criminal misuse. Even existing facilities are often closed based on this fear or it actuality. Security officials argue for restroom design and layout that enables officers to detect nefarious activity without individual stall inspection. I doubt there is a security concern with the partitions between urinals although I would imagine that a short person whose vision sight-line was completely blocked might have a concern.
Most likely the ICC officials also tried accommodate cleaning. Low stall partitions hinders mopping."
2007-02-26 08:41:24 · answer #4 · answered by man_vir_in 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its the same way in the womens restrooms. Ive never understood that. Its very uncomfortable for me and Im an American. Its like that in ALL restrooms Ive been in...in the public. They need to change that. Its weird. People CAN see right thru there.*
2007-02-26 10:15:13 · answer #5 · answered by Check this out! 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They are pre-fab non-permanent panels. They tend to shift and loosen over time...the gap is there to give some room for the inevitable movement that happens and temperature variations that make the metals expand and contract. Thus the door will still be able to open and close without sticking.
2007-02-26 09:01:24 · answer #6 · answered by Scott 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its the same in the woman's bathrooms as well. Its always been like that. I hate it I try to avoid public restrooms. Anyone can peep. I guess whoever decided the "look" of the public restroom, was a "peeping tom"
Some are saying its so you can see if restroom is occupied. HELLO whats wrong with knocking.
2007-02-26 08:34:11 · answer #7 · answered by sabbycat76 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As a gay man, I would like to denounce the first man's claim that I have any interest in watching him defecate.
To answer the question: It may be an indication for outsiders to see if the stall is occupied ... or maybe Americans are cheap.
2007-02-26 08:44:26 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
It probably has a lot more to do with the prefabricated stalls and the hasty installation than any intended gap. I suspect no one has complained because that's what Americans have become accustomed to.
2007-02-26 08:39:52 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
in a public restroom, the public has to get to see everything if it pleases to. america is a country of and for the public. enjoy. sure you are not very bad that you need to be worried about anybody noticing you.
2007-02-26 09:40:15 · answer #10 · answered by Alag N 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If I had to use a stall and someone was sick enough to watch through a crack, my only comment is this:
That is the closest thing to glory they will ever see in this lifetime!!!
--That Cheeky Lad
2007-02-26 23:17:23 · answer #11 · answered by Charles-CeeJay_UK_ USA/CheekyLad 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋